YOU ARE GOD'S MINISTER

"Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful." 1 Corinthians 4:1 KJV

When you are serving faithfully and trying to obediently do what God has asked you to do, the devil hates it! He’ll do everything he can to dissuade you to stop. Often he attacks the mind with allegations, such as, Why are you doing this? No one appreciates you anyway! Here you are, working, striving, sweating, and slugging it out for the church while others are having a good time. You're not getting a salary are you? you’ve done enough! If you’re not really committed to staying in place and doing what God asked you to do, those allegations from the devil may pull you off the bench where God called you to serve.

Paul gave two distinct qualities and lifestyle of a Christian. Two very important roles of a Christian; A Minister (servant of Christ) and a Steward. A minister is one who carries and conveys a message. He is a representative and a dispenser of the vision, mission & mandate. He is authorized to conduct, give service, care, attend and contribute to a course. 

As a Christian, you are God's minister and representative here on earth. You have been given the authority to speak and use the name of Jesus. God wants us to be faithful to what He has called us to do. He is not going to measure you based on your attendance in church, how many years you served in the church, great things you have done…All these are very important and required. But what God really wants to see is our faithfulness to Him. As an appointed minister, your faithfulness is key in carrying our His Purpose.

Further Scripture Study: 1 Thessalonians 5:24 

Declare This: Dear Father, thank You for entrusting me as Your representative. I have a job to do and I’m going to do it! I will not jeopardize my destiny by succumbing to the discouraging voice of the enemy in Jesus name Amen.

COMMITMENT TO THE CHURCH

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:23-24 NIV

Your commitment to the church consists of your commitment to Church Attendance, to the growth of the church and to the church needs. Like a Pastor once said "don't get promoted out of church". The moment you see the church as secondary, you are placing yourself in a very unpleasant environment. When the church is primary to you, you will be promoted on all sides. 

Let me tell you a story using four typical church members; I’ll name them: Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody. There was an important job to do and Everybody thought that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it but none of them did it, so it wasn't done. Somebody got angry because it was Everybody’s job. Everybody thought for sure that Somebody would do it, but Nobody asked Anybody. In the end the job wasn’t done, and Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody asked Anybody. The essence of this story is for you to realize that you cannot wait for someone else to handle your responsibility for you. You have to Trust God, and just do it with all of your heart. He is the one that gives the increase. 

We need to be committed, to giving to the church. It’s more than offerings, it’s supporting the Church, with your love, your prayers, your time, your availability, your talents and your abilities. You need to be committed. 

Further Scripture Study: Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 9:8 

Declare This: Lord I am committed to the work of the ministry. I will support the church on all sides till You come in Jesus name Amen.

IN PURITY

Let no one despise or think less of you because of your youth, but be an example (pattern) for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12 AMPC

Paul in his letter to Timothy warned him that because he had no long record to establish credibility, he would have to earn the respect of his people. The Greeks at the time with its cultures, subordinated youth to age. If a man did not have age, he would have to earn respect. To offset that youthfulness, Paul exhorted Timothy to be an example of those who believe "in purity". 

Timothy was to be an example in purity; that is, to live moral and clean. To Live a just and honest life; a life that far exceeds the standards of the world. To practice holy and pure living. You can overcome the world’s perception by being an example in speech, conduct, love, faith and in purity. Be diligent in these matters, do not give in to anything that will dilute your mind. It is easy to grow tired and weary in well doing but remember, we will reap if we faint not.

Further Scripture Study: Titus 1:15; 2 Timothy 2:22; Psalms 24:3-4 

Declare This: Dear God, I thank You for giving me Your Word to direct and caution my life. My heart is pure in all I do in Jesus name Amen.

BE AN EXAMPLE

“Let no one despise or think less of you because of your youth, but be an example (pattern) for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12 AMPC

This is Paul's exhortation to Timothy, he calls him to be an example of the believers. He said “Let no one despise or think less of your youth.” God has called you and I to model Christianity and be an example to our world.

To be an example means "to be a pattern, a model, something to be copied or followed". Everyone is living an example one way or the other, it’s either good or it’s bad. To be an example is not allowing others to diminish the importance of what you are doing maybe as a parent or as a leader. Timothy had to refuse to be discouraged from those who might have thought he was too young or inexperienced to Pastor. 

Are you an example to your world (Home, job, friends, family, colleagues, attitude, character)? God has called us to pattern ourselves in the same way He patterned Himself when He walked the roads of Galilee and the streets of Jerusalem. Don't fake yourself thinking you're leading by example when deep in your heart you know its all fake. Be genuine and true firstly to yourself before you can be an example to others. 

Further Scripture Study: 1 Timothy 1:16: Philippians 3:17; Titus 2:7-8 

Declare This: Dear Lord, I follow the example You already laid out for me. I pattern myself and live according to the ways You've showed in Jesus name Amen.

BE A PILLAR

“James, Cephas and John, those esteemed as pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised.” Galatians‬ ‭2:9‬ ‭NIV

I remember having a discussion in this line with someone so dear to me and this encouraged today's topic. What is a Pillar? According to definition, a pillar is a tall vertical structure of stone, wood, or metal, used as a support for a building, or as an ornament or monument. Without a pillar it is impossible for a structure to stand firmly, and the pillar must be in the right position to ensure a strong support. 

Relatively, a pillar also refers to a person who is regarded as a chief, a reliable backing providing essential support for something, someone, organization or community. In our opening scripture, James, Cephas and John were esteemed not by themselves but by others as the pillars among the apostles because God made use of them in building the church and in propagating the gospel in the early days in Jerusalem. A Pillar is a support that no one can do without. 

You must be known for your consistency and stability in preaching the Gospel, winning souls, your commitment in the house of God, your commitment in your job, your relationship with others and your every day living. Don't forget that your service is to God and not to man. Chose today to be that Pillar that cannot be ignored, remember that God is depending on you to be that strong support needed in His kingdom. "Don’t let God replace you with stones."

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Further Scripture Study: Revelation 3:12 

Declare This: Thank You Father for I recognize that I am a pillar in Your house. I declare that I am a strong support of Your mandate and in the expansion of Your kingdom in Jesus name Amen.

DOUBLE MINDED

"A double minded man is unstable in all his ways". James 1:8 KJV 

Life is full of decisions and as humans, we all have a great possibility for error. We wait too long, we pay too much, we say the wrong thing and make the wrong decision. Some are making difficult decisions this very week, while some others don’t know it yet but will have a major decision to make next week. Life is full of choices. James says "A double minded man is unstable in all his ways." In Greek, the word "double minded" literally means "two souled"; pulled apart in different directions, divided loyalties, divided priorities. We’ve all felt that way, when you’re trying to do two things at the same time and you’re not really sure what you want but you’ve got to make a decision.

Double-mindedness is devastating, because it makes you unstable. The word is translated "confused" in many parts of the Bible. It’s used to describe a drunk who’s staggering and unstable in all his ways. He’s saying, If you can’t make up your mind it produces an unstable lifestyle. All your ways will be unstable, constant turmoil. When you're double minded, you'll have unstable emotions, unstable relationships and your life will generally be unstable. Double mindedness can lead to a double life. 

Further Scripture Study: Proverbs 6:2 

Declare This: Dear Father, I receive wisdom for life. You are the Wisdom I need for any decision I have to take and I refuse to be pulled apart in different directions in Jesus name Amen.

KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:" 1 Peter 5:8 KJV

Has the devil ever tried to use your past against you? Maybe he told you, “You’re in this mess because of your own actions! Don’t even try to ask God to help you because you got into this mess by yourself, and now you’re going to have to get out of it by yourself! God won’t help you, because you’re reaping exactly what you’ve sown!”

If you’ve ever heard these kinds of accusations from the devil, then 1 Peter 5:8 is just for you! Peter is telling us to be on the alert and be vigilant when the devil strikes. He reminds us of our former failures and then he vigorously tries to convince us that we deserve to be in the mess we are in. If the devil is successful in his prosecution, he will persuade us to believe that we are unrighteous and unworthy and that we deserve whatever difficulties he is throwing our way.

As believers, you need to remember that the devil is not going to give up without making a strong effort to get us. We also need to remember that he has had several thousand years of practice in doing what he does and in that time he has gotten quite good at it. We’ve got to get very serious about the Word of God and stay on top with it. Be reminded that the devil also knows the Bible and his plan is to keep us out of the Word of God. Let the Word become the sword of the spirit in your mouth. God said if we resist the devil, he will flee. God has spoken and He meant every word. Resist with the Word of God. It works!

Further Scripture Study: John 8:32; Psalms 119:130; Ephesians 6:18; James 4:7 

Declare This: Dear Lord, I stand on guard over the operations of the evil one and I will not allow any of his tricks to come near my dwelling in Jesus name Amen.